Terrifying Tales: Famous Ghost Stories Quiz

A good ghost story transcends time, and the most beloved tales in this genre are just as likely to send a shiver down your spine as any modern ghost story. Take our quiz to see how much you know about the spookiest stories and most terrifying tales ever told!

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Question 1 of 30

What year did Shirley Jackson release the spooky classic "The Haunting of Hill House"?

1949

1959

Jackson, who also wrote the chilling story "The Lottery," released "The Haunting of Hill House" in 1959.

1969

Question 2 of 30

Who descends into madness in "The Haunting of Hill House"?

Edna

Eleanor

Main character Eleanor Vance goes mad after moving into Hill House at the invitation of Dr. John Montague.

Emma

Question 3 of 30

How many total wishes can a monkey's paw grant?

five

nine

In the W.W. Jacobs tale "The Monkey's Paw," each of the mystical paws can grant three wishes to each of three different people.

100

Question 4 of 30

What is the name of the son in "The Monkey's Paw"?

Camden

Henry

Herbert

After her son Herbert dies, Mrs. White wishes him back to life with disastrous consequences.

Question 5 of 30

What classic ghost story is narrated by Arthur Kipps?

"The Woman in Black"

Narrator Arthur Kipps tells the story of "The Woman in Black" in the 1983 Susan Hill story.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

"The Canterville Ghost"

Question 6 of 30

What fine manor serves as the setting for "The Woman in Black"?

Salt Box House

Eel Marsh House

The horrible tale of Arthur Kipps takes place at Eel Marsh House.

Twelve Oaks Manor

Question 7 of 30

What character stars in "The Graveyard Book"?

Mick

Bod

Nobody "Bod" Owens lives in a creepy cemetery, where he is surrounded by the dead and the less-than-dead.

Win

Question 8 of 30

What river serves as the setting for "The Willows"?

Mississippi

Nile

Danube

In Algernon Blackwood's "The Willows," a pair of unfortunate boaters cruise down the Danube in eastern Europe.

Question 9 of 30

How many ghosts are in "A Christmas Carol"?

none

three

four

If it weren't a holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol" would make one heck of a ghost story, thanks to its four ghosts.

Question 10 of 30

Who wrote the 1979 novel "Ghost Story"?

Stephen King

Peter Straub

Peter Straub became a horror legend with his 1979 novel "Ghost Story," which was made into a 1981 movie by the same name.

Richard Matheson

Question 11 of 30

What group is featured in "Ghost Story"?

Chowder Society

A group of five men who call themselves the Chowder Society reminisce on scary events, which may be linked to a long-ago murder.

Casserole Club

Caramel Corp

Question 12 of 30

Who is the narrator's second wife in "Ligeia"?

Rebecca

Rosalinda

Rowena

After Ligeia dies, the narrator marries Rowena, who dies and transforms into Ligeia in the classic tale by Edgar Allen Poe.

Question 13 of 30

What ghostly tale centers around two children named Miles and Flora?

"Rebecca"

"Dracula"

"The Turn of the Screw"

Miles and Flora are a pair of children haunted by a ghostly couple in "The Turn of the Screw."

Question 14 of 30

Where does "The Turn of the Screw" take place?

Rye

Wye

Bly

The story tells of a governess who moves to a haunted manor house called Bly.

Question 15 of 30

Who wrote "The Turn of the Screw"?

Edgar Allan Poe

H.P. Lovecraft

Henry James

Henry James first published his classic gothic tale in the 1898 compilation "The Two Magics."

Question 16 of 30

What former rocker is haunted in "Heart-Shaped Box"?

Jonas

Judas

Morbid collector Judas Coyne finds himself saddled with a ghost in the 2007 Joe Hill book.

Johnny

Question 17 of 30

What arrives in the heart-shaped box that's sent to Judas?

a suit

The heart-shaped box contains a suit, which carries with it the ghost of its former owner.

candy

keys

Question 18 of 30

What year was "The Shining" novel released?

1957

1967

1977

Stephen King's "The Shining" came out in 1977 and was followed a few years later by a terrifying film of the same name.

Question 19 of 30

What family stars in "The Shining"?

Torrance

Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy and their son Danny are haunted by unknown forces in the chilling King tale.

Tanner

Jackson

Question 20 of 30

What is the name of the hotel in "The Shining"?

Overlord

Overlook

The Overlook Hotel and its evil residents attempt to claim the young Danny Torrance as their own in "The Shining."

Overview

Question 21 of 30

What haunted establishment serves as the setting for "The Canterville Ghost"?

barn

pub

castle

The 1887 Oscar Wilde short story is set in a haunted castle.

Question 22 of 30

What is the name of the family spooked by spirits in "The Canterville Ghost"?

Owens

Otis

The Otis family is haunted by Sir Simon after moving into Canterville Chase, despite being warned that the castle is haunted.

Olander

Question 23 of 30

Who wrote "The Phantom Rickshaw"?

Henry James

Susan Hill

Rudyard Kipling

"The Phantom Rickshaw," published in 1888, was one of many spooky tales by Rudyard Kipling.

Question 24 of 30

Who is the narrator of "The Phantom Rickshaw"?

Jim

Jack

After he spurns his ex-lover Agnes, narrator Jack is haunted by a mysterious spirit until he ends up with Agnes once again.

Jeff

Question 25 of 30

What chilling apparition appears in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"?

headless horseman

The headless spirit of a mounted Revolutionary War soldier haunts the tiny hamlet of Sleepy Hollow.